Jalandhar: Former Punjab Cabinet Minister and Congress leader Bharat Bhushan Ashu was produced before the court after a five-day remand. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has once again requested the court to extend the remand of former minister Ashu due to some pending recoveries.
The lawyer for Ashu opposed the demand of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and told the court that there was nothing substantial in the case. After hearing arguments from both the ED and Ashu’s lawyer, the court extended the remand of the former minister. The Additional District and Sessions Court granted a five-day remand of Ashu to the Enforcement Directorate once again.
Rememberable that Bharat Bhushan Ashu was summoned by ED for questioning in Jalandhar on Thursday, August 1. Late in the evening, ED officials arrested him after questioning. For straight 9 hours, ED officials grilled Ashu about his increased assets and transactions abroad. After the arrest, ED produced Ashu in court and took a 5-day remand. Today after the completion of remand period, Ashu will be presented before the court.
As per reports, Ashu could not answer the questions of ED properly. ED is investigating the increased assets of Ashu while he was a minister during the previous Congress government. ED has also come to know of many foreign transactions.
ED has found in the investigation that Bharat Bhushan Ashu whitened the proceeds of crime (POC) through several fake entities and bought properties in the name of himself and his family members.
ED has now started investigating Ashu’s close ones as well. ED has already searched the accounts of many close associates. A list of the remaining people is being prepared. Meanwhile, ED has also found foreign transactions in the accounts of Ashu and his close associates.